Rated M

New Beginning: The Same Refrain

Chapter 20

Severus spent the rest of the week anxiously waiting for Saturday, the day he planned to see Hannah. He paced his rooms when not in his labs and read Potions journals to keep abreast in his field. He worked on a new potion for burns, one that St Mungo's had requested, but for once found no joy in the search, for a new faster acting potion.

He glanced at the whiskey from time to time, and then in a fit of remorse flung it into the floo and cursed his need of it. Twice he received an owl from Narcissa and twice he sent it back with no answer.

Every morning he felt his chin and sighed in relief to find only the normal growth. He felt the gentle voice of madness coming back, but this time knew he would recognize its face.

Saturday morning he was up before dawn and pacing his rooms. He watched the clock move too slow and to pass the time joined Minerva and Albus for the morning meal. He frowned when Millie brought a bowl and set it in front of him of warm milk and toast, then picking up his spoon he smirked, and began to eat savouring the taste that was home.

"Severus," Minerva said bringing him back to the present. "If you are going out today I will ask you to run an errand for me."

"What would that be?" he sneered, thinking she would take him from his plans.

"I have need of new quills, and since you will be introducing your young lady to our world I thought perhaps a shopping trip was in order."

"You will be careful." Albus stopped eating long enough to peer over his half moon glasses. "There are those that will not welcome her in to our world."

"I will welcome her." Severus stabbed at his bowl with his spoon. "I need no ones approval for this."

Minerva smiled and raised her eyebrow looking at Albus in challenge.

"Quiet right Professor," Albus mused. "How unfortunate that you waited this long to seek something without someone's approval."

"Oh Albus," Minerva sighed and rolled her eyes. "I can not take your all knowing attitude before lunch. I have told you this before."

Minerva went over to Severus and handed him her Gringotts seal for her purchases, and then looking to make sure Albus was not looking, pressed a small vial of potion into his hands.

"I know you have none in your stocks, I asked Poppy to send it," she whispered down to him. "If Millie is feeding you milk toast, and she was quite pleased you have had no whiskey for a week now, I am sure this may come in handy."

"Minerva," he said, looking down at the same potion he had tried to sneak into his father's food when he had stayed sober long enough to get the alcohol from his blood.

"Don't be silly boy," she chided. "Drink it and get through the day."

Severus knew the potion would sooth his stomach and still his shaking hands. He knew his excuse of cold, or fatigue was no longer believed, if in fact it ever was. He remembered the potion Albus had forced him to take, and uncapping the vial he drank it down.

He left right after morning meal, not able to wait any longer to collect Hannah. He tossed his robes over his arm and asking Minerva for the use of one of hers for Hannah's use, set off stopping at the owlery on the way.

Once in the village he placed a weak tracing spell on the owl and saying Hannah's name softly he let it go. Watching as its head lowered, and wings spread, it gave with a single rotation of wings, and it was off. It glided only two blocks and began its downward spiral, turned a corner and flew from sight.

He hurried to follow and upon turning the corner, saw the owl already tapping at a second floor window. He stood and watched as the curtains pulled back, and a slender arm pushed the window up. Hannah leaned out the window and looked around, seeing him walking toward the house she smiled widely, and then holding her finger to her lips she ducked back inside.

Not five minutes later, she came out of the house, with her shoes tucked under her arm, and a jumper in her hands. When she neared him she dropped the jumper, and the shoes fell away as she lifted her arms and ran. He caught her as she flung herself at him, jumping up and wrapping her legs around his waist. She grabbed his face in both hands and began raining kisses and laughter on him.

"You came," she laughed, "you said you would and you did."

"I told you I would," he smirked at her, holding her up.

She reddened and looked around as she lowered her feet to the ground. He leaned forward and gave her a chaste kiss before letting her go.

"You need to wash you face. Where we are going Muggle make up is frowned on."

"What?" She stepped back turning and glared at him. "Listen here, no one tells me…."

"Please," Severus said already feeling things turning wrong. "I put this poorly. I am just not sure what to say when I am around you."

"We are a pair." She smiled and reached up to his cheek. "Severus, I am sorry. I will be right back."

She turned to leave when he pulled her back and with his wand removed her make up. He looked at her as if for the first time, and wondered why she would it at all.

"Hannah," he said softly, "you are much nicer this way."

He bent down to kiss her, but pulled back up instead and looked around.

"Hannah," he said stiffly, "we should go now."

"Is something wrong?" She looked at him oddly.

"No, nothing. We should go. My world starts earlier than yours."

"Earlier?" She smiled and took his arm in both of hers as they began walking. "I only just got up."

"No electricity, remember?" He smirked.

"Oh," she thought then said. "I don't get it."

"Have you ever heard the saying 'from sun up to sunset' my dear?" His lip twitched watching her face.

"Oh, lights, I get it now." She pushed her arms into her jumper as they walked along. "So it being summer the shops are open late. So why hurry."

"Just walk," he could not bring his self to say the truth. He came early just to be with her. "Do you have to be back for work today?"

"Nope," she said trying to smile. "Looks like I am between jobs again. I have rent paid until the end of the month, and then I am out."

Severus stopped walking and looked at her frowning.

"Oh Severus, there is always a pub looking for someone." She tugged on his arm and leading him up the slope. "I'll be fine."

"If you need something, money or…"

"No, now stop that," she cut him off, and looked away from him. "I will be fine. I've been though this before."

"What of your brother?" Severus knew her brother did not work at all, but came around seeking her help whenever he was close to the dole.

"I don't know," she sighed. "When I got back, and lost my job, he left."

"He should step up and take responsibility," Severus said stiffly.

"Other than you, how may from Spinners End has done that?" she laughed aloud and shook her head. "Let's not do this today. Let's be a normal couple out for the day."

"Normal?" Severus chuckled. "Come see my normal."

He held her as he did a Side-Along-Apparition taking her to Diagon Alley. As soon as their feet firmly stood on the pavement, he pulled her back against a wooden wall and handed her the robes he still had flung over his arm.

"Put these on" He handed her a set of Minerva's robes, and then put on his own. "It is the custom here. There is also a hood attached that I may ask you to use if the need arises."

"A need for a hood?" she asked hesitantly.

"If I tell you, you will lift the hood and pull it low to hide your face." He looked into her eyes to see a flicker of fear. "Hannah, your attackers have not been found."

"Maybe we should go elsewhere." She looked at him nervously.

"Trust me. No one will harm you if you are with me. However, it would be best if they did not see you with me."

"I am hungry," she said to change topics. "Where can we grab a bite?"

He slowly took her shoulders, turned her from the wall, and allowed the first sight of the Alley to come to her eyes.

"If we make it that far, we will stop at the Leaky Caldron." He smirked seeing the look of wonder come over her face.

"Oh my," she breathed.

Her eyes were first drawn to the inhabitants of the Ally. She saw robed figures, dressed as her and Severus. She saw strange creatures dressed in more formal looking attire bobbing in and out or the crowds, and everywhere signs proclaiming things for sale she could only guess at.

"What is that?" Hannah asked pointing at a short creature that appeared to be wearing robes over a very old fashioned suit and tie.

"A Goblin," Severus reached up and lowered her arm. "They run the bank and I would suggest you not gape and point."

"Oh my," she said again as an elderly witch walked past with the more traditional pointed black hat and black robe.

"Shall we?" Severus snickered as he held out his arm.

Severus did not take her into any shops but allowed her to wander at will, peeking in windows and checking the wares sold in the stalls. Twice his hand went to hers and brought it back down before she touched something dangerous. Several "Oh my's" and two "What the Fuck's" later they finally made it to the Leaky Caldron.

"Severus, can we go back?" She looked up at him as he held her chair for her. "Please? That was fun."

"I think it was enough for one day," he smirked looking at her large eyes. "We will do it again soon."

"I want to go back to the place with the quills and parchments," she said looking up and biting her lip like a Muggle child waiting for Santa to leave a toy.

"I think we can manage that," Severus said looking around the pub for Tom. "Ask before you touch anything, some of the quills can bite."

"Severus," she laughed at his seriousness.

"No Hannah, they bite," he quirked lifting his eyebrow and held out the second finger of his left hand, pointing to a small scare. "I was twelve, buying my supplies."

"Your kidding," she breathed taking his hand and examining the scar.

"I also forgot to pick up quills for Minerva, so we need to go back anyway," he said knitting his brow together.

"Severus?" Hannah asked seeing how worried he looked. "What is it now?"

"I will take you to Hogsmeade," he looked into her eyes. "We could get the quills there, and inquire about a job for you."

"Severus," she said looking down and fidgeting. "I don't think I could do that."

"Why," he leaned back in his chair ready for a rejection. "I would be at Hogwarts. I could come to you every day."

"Exactly," she reddened and looked up at him. "I don't think we are ready for that step yet."

"It is not like we have not…."

"Severus," she hissed and looked around. "At least do that thing with your wand that stops people from hearing what you say."

"My dear, Severus has never been known for his subtly," Tom said as he set down two cups of tea. "What will it be today? Stew, Stew or Stew?"

"I think I would like a bowl of stew," Hannah laughed up at him.

"Its all he eats you know." Tom smiled down at her then turned to Severus. "So, stew?"

"No, I would prefer a sandwich." Severus smirked feeling his lip twitch.

"I ran out of bread, it's Stew," Tom frowned looking at Severus before he walked away muttering.

"What was that all about?" Hannah looked after him.

"Tom prides himself on his stew in case you missed it," Severus smirked. "We are also too late for lunch and it is not yet dinner, so we eat stew."

"It's what?" She pulled up the sleeve on her robe and looked at her watch. "Severus, it is only just after noon time."

"No, your watch will not work properly here, it is almost four." He tried not to grin at her look of horror but lost the battle.

"Oh," she said sadly, and lowered her head to look in the bowl that was set in front of her. "I guess I just wanted this to last longer."

"I told you we will collect the quills and come back another time."

"No you arse." She blushed and looked up at him. "I wanted more time with you."